Improvement in fans and parasols



UNITED VSTA-*res 1PA-TENT fQFFIc-E.

WILLIAM H. WHITE, OF WESTi-RIVER, MARYLAND.

IMPROVEMENT IN` FANSAND yPATRASOLS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 54,799, dated May 15, 1866.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, WILLIAM H. WHITE, of W'est River, in the county of Anne Arundel and State of Maryland,`have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fans, Parasols, &c. and I hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is an elevation, and Fig. 3 a vertical section through the center of a fan constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig.2 is asectional elevation of the same, showing the manner in which the same is constructed. Figs. 4 and 5 are respectively front and back views of a combined fan and sunshade, and Fig. 6 is a side view of the same, exhibiting the manner in which the same may be used. y

My improvement relates to that class of fans the surface of which, instead of being capable.

of development or of being folded, are of a permanent shape, resembling the palnrleaf fan, and has for its particular object economy and expedition in construction, as well as its adaptation to a higher degree of finish and ornamentation than is attainable in fans composed of small leaves, whether detached or folding;

. also, convenience in the use of the same as a sunshade or canopy, or other like purpose.

To enable others to make and use my said invention, Ishall now proceed to describe the method of constructing the same.

I iirst make a circular frame, which may be composed of a hoop of steel,rattan, or other iiexible material, an d a brace or braces to m antain the hoop in shape and to allow of the same being rigidly secured to a handle. In some eases the handle may be extended diametrically across the hoop, it thus serving thepurpose of a brace, the hoop being secured at two points which are diametrically opposite to the extension of the handle. In some cases I prefer to use two concentric hoops, which are mutually braced by means of corrugated stays or lattice-work; or, again, an inner eccentric hoop may be secured at two or Inore points tangent to the circular outer hoop.

When it is designed to make a fan to be used as such only, then the lirst plan of construction may be adopted, it recommending itself for cheapness and simplicity. For fans to be used as a fan as well as a parasol orsunshade, a'selt supporting frame or one constructed substan tially according to the second and third plan, is recommended.

With the frame I then combine a wrapper, which may be made of any suitable fibrous or textile material, preferably silk. This is cut in length not more than the diameter of the hoop, having at its ends draw-cases, through which draw-strings are passed. The wrapper is then completed by uniting or sewing the opposite ends togetheri. e., at right angles to the draw-cases.` When a continuous or cylindrical wrapper is thus formed it is adjusted over the hoop, so as to be divided by the hoop in two equal parts. The ends on eitherI side of the hoop are then drawn together by means of the draw-strin gs, which ,gather the material up toward the center and at each side of the hoop, asy shown in Figs. 1, 3, 4, and 5. If the wrapper beless than a full diameter of the hoop, it is evident that a central opening will be left, which may be closed by a rosette or by any other ornamental device. In some cases the space may be used for inserting therein a picture or lookin g-glass. It is unnecessary to add that a fan so constructed may be ornamented by means of lace-work or embroidery, or in any other manner, according to the taste of the manufacturer.

A plain fan, such as described, I have shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, in which a is the hoop, which may be fastened to or set into a handle, b. c is the wrapper, and d arosette or centen piece.

In a combined fan and sunshade the frame is constructed, as before said, of two or more hoops, or of one hoop suitably braced, so as to be self-sustainin g, or it may be made of a single hoop, but rigidly connected with alink, l1., the object of which will be hereinafter explained.

The handle may be of any suitable length. Allowance should be made, however, for the attachment ot' the hoop thereto, which is effected at the upper end by means of a link. In the present instance the link his secured to two hoops of which the frame is composed. It projects from the. face of the fau, and is secured by means of friction-joint in a slit in the upper end ofthe handle. l have represented in the drawings the simplestmode of attachment, which consists p of a mere rivet, clamping the link h with sufficient friction so as to hold'or maintain the fan Ain any position it may be placed in relationl to the stick or handle.

InFig. 6 I have shown three positions of the fan portion, indicated, respectively, in black, blue, and red colors. To the handle, and at a distance from the link equal to or somewhat less than the diameter of the fan, is secured a catch, g, the object of which is to lock the fan f and maintain it stationary when simply used as a fan.

In lieu of the friction device and the lock, as described, there may be combined with the stick or handle and the fan a system of leverage somewhat similar to that used in umbrellas or parasols or other mechanism, whereby the fan may be adjusted and held in its various positions to the stick without liability of displacement.

It is hardly necessary to state how a fan or sunshade, as described, may be used, or to what cases it may be applied other than ahand implement. It will therefore suffice to say that I contemplate to use this contrivanoe, constructed on a larger scale for buggies or other vehicles, as a canopy, which may be held or secured in a suitable socket for the purpose provided. y

Having thus described myinvention and the manner in which the sameis or may be carried into effect, I claiml. As a new article of manufacture, a fan, sunshade, or canopy composed of a hooped frame and wrapper,wl1en the latter is provided with draw-cases and draw-strings and constructed and applied in the manner hereinbefore'set forth.

'2. As a new article of manufact-ure, a combination fan and sunshade constructed and operating substantially in the manner set forth.

In testimony whereofI have signed myn ame to this specification'before two subscribing witnesses.

WM. H. VHITF.

fitnesses z Jos. L. GooMBs, JOHN S. HoLLINGsHEAD. 

